Warm Evenings and Flowing Streams

​With the days getting longer and warmer, chances are you’ll be thinking of the up and coming fishing season. Like most people I was getting a bit over winter- constantly rugging up, short days and monotonous farm jobs- it’s not my favourite time of year! It’s good for hunting though- stags are in hard antler and are there for the taking, just need to brave the elements a bit. I always welcome the fishing season, its a good chance to get into the outdoors and soak up some sun and hopefully a few fish as well! I’m still not a very good fly fisherman, but I think I’m improving. I hooked one last season but got a bit too keen and struck too hard and my poor 6lb tippet didn’t take it too well! I met a seasoned angler there on the lake shore and he laughed at me saying “the youth of today, they can hook ‘em but they can’t catch ‘em!” That time did give me encouragement and a reason to get back out though! A lot of it’s about spots and getting to know a spot. There are a few local areas at home I’ve consistently caught fish (that being one of them), and it often takes a while to get to know a waterway before you are onto fish. I guess that’s natures way of not giving away all their secrets too easy. Plus, its more satisfying- trying a few times and eventually getting a fish is more satisfying than getting one on the first go. Its not easy saying to your mates you’ve caught nothing a lot of the time, but its not about that. Its cool to go explore a new area, learn a bit about that place and know more for next time. The tranquility of walking up a river especially is a lot of the reason anyone goes fishing, to get away from the pressures of everyday life. Further on towards the season I’m hoping to get some people to cover some how to’s of fly fishing- I think it’s a very under-rated sport in New Zealand and isn’t being taken up especially amongst young fellas. Now is the time to start thinking about fishing spots and gear- it’s never too early!